Discover industry best practices, fresh ideas, and creative solutions to common challenges when you take part in education, tours, workshops, and more at Cultivate.
Experienced researchers and industry experts have come together to provide you and your team with the knowledge and tools you need to become more efficient, productive, and prepared for the future.
Take an active role in your learning each day of Cultivate. Over 160+ educational sessions on a variety of subjects provide information on everything from fundamental skills to advanced techniques—in all segments of the green industry. Learn more details.
To help guide your experience at Cultivate, sessions are organized into education “Learning Tracks.” Each track includes presentations focused on a specific topic, skill area, or industry segment. Create your own experience by choosing sessions from multiple Learning Tracks or take a deep-dive into a particular subject by following one track.
Explore All SessionsPut a little more green in your bottom line and manage today’s business shifts with confidence through these sessions that address consumer trends and maximize your retail space.
Greenhouse growers face an array of questions, from fluctuating input costs and challenges with labor, to changes at retail and a shifting consumer marketplace. Learn about production techniques, best practices, and growing trends.
Develop your business expertise, no matter your role in the industry or your business segment. From hiring the best talent, to developing a marketing plan or figuring out how to structure a sales team, there are a multitude of skills needed to lead a thriving operation.
Learn about innovative production techniques and the hottest new varieties. Hear from leaders on managing challenges such as labor, greater regulatory oversight, and changes in the consumer marketplace.
Manage the demands of an ever-changing business, including finding and keeping clients, making employees happy, running the business, and staying on top of hot trends your clients want to see.
Landscapers face lots of demands for consumer attention and money. Get the critical information you need to grow your business and stand out from your competition with tips from industry experts.
Education in Spanish
Disfruta de nuestro contenido educativo disponible en tu propio idioma. Mantente al tanto de las últimas técnicas de cultivo, optimiza tu operación y apoya el desarrollo profesional de tu equipo.
This series of grower-focused education will be taught entirely Spanish! Cover essential growing techniques, optimize your operation, and develop your team.
Further your knowledge of industry best practices with the Cultivate'26 On-Demand Education Pass. We're bringing the world-class education that the green industry has come to expect from Cultivate directly to you, wherever you are.
This package includes sessions recorded live at Cultivate’26, as well as exclusive pre-recorded content and sessions presented in Spanish.
Purchase Cultivate On-Demand when you register for Cultivate. If you are already registered, you can add them by accessing the Registration Dashboard link in your confirmation email or by contacting Maritz Customer Service at (219) 354-6440 or
Cultivate@Maritz.com for assistance.
Cultivate education sessions are broken down by the following skill levels:
A CORE session contains primary knowledge of the topic. This is recommended for those who want to gain a basic understanding of the topic.
A PRO session contains a moderate amount of knowledge about the subject and material. This is recommended for attendees who have some fundamental knowledge of the topic.
A LEAD session contains an advanced understanding of the subject matter. This is recommended for attendees who have a moderate understanding of the matter or topic.
An ALL AUDIENCE session is appropriate for anyone with interest in this subject, regardless of skill level.
Cultivate education sessions are broken down by the following types:
Crop production, propagation, cultural practices, efficiency
Pests, diseases, disorders, scouting, prevention
University research, trials, data-backed insights, emerging science
Tools, systems, software, automation, emerging tech
Consumer trends, market shifts, future-focused thinking
Water, energy, inputs, environmental stewardship
Branding, merchandising, digital marketing, customer engagement
Pricing, profitability, cost control, systems, scalability
Hiring, retention, culture, training, management, workforce strategy
Take your learning to the next level when you sign up for Saturday workshops* at Cultivate. These half or full-day programs provide more in-depth opportunities for hands-on learning. Enrich your experience with programs designed to help you and your team develop knowledge and skills that you can take back to your business and implement immediately.
*Additional registration is required.
Spend a full day sharpening your pest and disease-fighting skills in this intensive workshop for greenhouse and nursery growers. The morning session dives into insect and mite identification, learning to recognize the most common species you’ll encounter, and how to manage them using conventional pesticides, biopesticides, and biological control agents. In the afternoon, we shift to plant pathology, focusing on diagnosing key plant diseases, knowing what you can confidently identify in-house, and when samples should go out for professional diagnostics.
Taught by a team of seasoned industry experts with decades of real-world experience, this workshop blends science, practicality, and visuals you won’t forget. Come for the bugs and blights, leave with tools you can use immediately in your operation.
Registration Fee
Requires Cultivate registration, plus $299/person, includes lunch, workshop to be held at the Greater Columbus Convention Center
There is nothing like a production tour to show you what’s possible and inspire you – no matter how large or small your business—to try new things. AmericanHort is pleased to offer production tours at Cultivate to let you see some of the industry’s best practices up-close and personal. We visit facilities that are stand-outs in the industry.*
*Additional registration is required.
Discover how leading garden retailers are creating unforgettable shopping experiences that inspire customers and drive success.
Explore some of northern Ohio’s most exceptional garden centers on this immersive retail-focused tour. From iconic regional brands to independently owned destinations, you’ll see how these retailers combine merchandising, design, product mix, and customer engagement to elevate the shopping experience.
This tour highlights the power of storytelling, store layout, and brand culture in building loyal customers and thriving retail spaces. Whether you’re a single-store operator or part of a multi-location brand, you’ll leave with fresh ideas and inspiration to take your retail experience to the next level.
Why You Should Attend
This tour is a must for anyone passionate about elevating the garden retail experience. You’ll see firsthand how successful retailers, both large and small, are crafting inviting spaces, connecting with customers, and turning shopping into an experience rather than a transaction. From inspiring displays to operational strategies that boost profitability, this tour will send you home with actionable ideas to reimagine your store and inspire your team.
Tour Stops
Petitti Garden Centers: Bath Township & Avon, Bremec Garden Center: Chesterland & Sheiyah Market
Registration Fee
Requires Cultivate registration, plus $179/person, includes lunch and transportation
See how leading growers are blending tradition, innovation, and sustainability to shape the future of greenhouse production.
This full-day tour takes you inside three dynamic operations that represent diversity and innovation driving today’s greenhouse industry. From family-run businesses to large-scale automated production, you’ll see how each operation leverages technology, infrastructure, and people to produce exceptional plants efficiently and sustainably.
Learn firsthand how these greenhouses are tackling real-world challenges, like labor shortages, rising costs, and environmental responsibility, through automation, energy management, and continuous improvement. You’ll come away inspired by practical ideas you can bring home to your own operation.
Why You Should Attend
This tour offers a unique opportunity to witness greenhouse production at its finest, from family-scale innovation to industry-leading automation. You’ll gain ideas for improving efficiency, sustainability, and product quality while learning how other growers are balancing technology with tradition. Whether you’re exploring automation options, sustainability practices, or ways to elevate your team’s performance, you’ll walk away with inspiration and strategies ready to apply in your own greenhouse.
Tour Stops
Corso’s Horticulture, Green Circle Growers, Casa Verde Growers
Registration Fee
Requires Cultivate registration, plus $179/person, includes lunch and transportation
Explore innovation, efficiency, and a people-first culture in northern Ohio’s nursery operations.
Join us for an immersive look behind the scenes at some of the region’s most forward-thinking nursery producers. This full-day tour showcases how leading operations of different scales and business models are tackling today’s challenges in labor, automation, quality, and continuous improvement. Participants will see how a people-centered culture, lean processes, and strategic innovation come together to drive profitability and excellence in modern nursery production.
From propagation to fulfillment, each stop offers valuable insights for growers of all sizes seeking to streamline operations, strengthen teams, and stay competitive in an evolving marketplace.
Why You Should Attend
If you’re ready to see what’s next in nursery production, this tour is for you. You’ll discover how top operations are optimizing labor, embracing automation, and fostering people-first cultures to stay ahead in a rapidly changing industry. Whether you’re focused on process improvement, team leadership, or exploring new business models, you’ll return with practical ideas and inspiration to strengthen your own operation.
Tour Stops
Willoway Nurseries, Petitti Family Farms: Ridge Manor, Bluestone Perennials
Registration Fee
Requires Cultivate registration, plus $179/person, includes lunch and transportation
Included with any Expo Plus registration OR All-Access Pass, don’t miss these learning opportunities through the tHRIve Sessions at Cultivate or the Cultivate Live! stage.
The Horticultural Research Institute (HRI), AmericanHort’s research foundation, presents a full slate of tHRIve Sessions at Cultivate. Located in C170, just off the Main Concourse near Registration, these educational sessions offer an opportunity to hear speakers presenting key industry insights of interest to all segments of the green industry from HRI-supported research endeavors.
Cultivate Live! is the industry’s show and tell for inventions, news, and technologies that everyone needs to know about.
The Cultivate Live! stage features fast-pitch exhibitor presentations highlighting products, services, technologies, and innovations. Separate from Cultivate educational programs, these sessions offer attendees a chance to discover what’s new from exhibiting companies.
Cultivate provides numerous opportunities to earn pesticide applicator continuing education credits. Each state varies by sessions approved and credits issued.
Please check with the room moderator for assistance in completing recertification paperwork. You may have a separate sign-in sheet for your state.
At the conclusion of the session, see the room monitor and you will receive a Certificate of Attendance to retain for your records. Attendees from self-reporting states should submit the Certificate of Attendance to their state’s licensing agency.
Have questions on pesticide recertification credits at Cultivate? Click here to contact us.
